When it comes to local artist Samantha Foster’s stuffed art, there’s something sweet and comforting — and amusingly provocative — in every piece she makes.
 
Hand-crocheted objects found on her local Etsy shop, Dear Bitsy, include everything from tiny birds and bunnies to a zombie teddy bear and a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer can. These works surprise, provoke and downright entertain.

But when it comes to gentle edginess, nothing draws my attention more than her custom, huggable pillow skulls. These have intrigued me for a while, and Foster makes the 6 1/2-by-10 inch-tall skulls year-round, but I wanted to share them with you today, on Halloween.

Priced at $170, her skulls are 100 percent wool and available in the color of your choice through her shop on Esty. Click here to visit Dear Bitsy directly. She has a red skull in stock right now. It’s pretty fierce, yet cuddle-ready.